Virginia Summer Residential Governor's Schools are programs for current 10th and 11th grade students. The programs are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and draw students from across the Commonwealth. Each program lasts approximately one month and is held at a Virginia college/university. The programs are free for students (except for a nominal student activities fee that can be waived based on need). The following programs are available:
Humanities
Held at Radford University, the Humanities program gives the students the opportunity to further their understanding of topics such as anthropology, economics, history, literature, media, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The program accepts approximately 200 students per year. Visit the HGS site for more information.
Watch the Humanities and Arts Program Promotional Video
Agriculture
The Agriculture program at Virginia Tech is ideal for students interested in biological sciences. Majors include Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Food Science, and Plant Science. The program accepts approximately 100 students per year. Visit the AGS for more information.
Math, Science, and Technology
Lynchburg College hosts the MST program, provides students with the opportunity to explore topics in anatomy and physiology, astronomy, computer programming, geology, hydrology, hypermedia, physics, and upper-level mathematics. Approximately 160 students are accepted each year. Visit the MST site for more information.
Medicine and Health Sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University sponsors the MHS program, where students have the opportunity to explore topics in biology, chemistry, computer science applications, environmental science, forensics, medicine, and physics. This program only accepts 26 students each year. Students should only consider applying for this program if they have prior experience in working, volunteering, and/or studying in a medical setting. (Students who do not have this experience but are interested in medicine and health should consider applying for Agriculture to focus on biological sciences.) Visit the MHS site for more information.
Engineering
Offered by NASA through the NIA, students participating in the engineering program are hosted by Christopher Newport University. This mentorship opportunity explores aeronautical engineering, advanced computer science, electrical engineering, material science, and mechanical engineering. The program only accepts 6-12 students per year. Students should have prior experience studying engineering outside of school curriculum and must be able to demonstrate use of a
research design such as the one required by the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) or the International
Science and Engineering (ISEF) competitions. Visit the NIA site (specific information on SRGS is not provided).
Marine Sciences
The VIMS (Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences) mentorship program is hosted by Christopher Newport University. Students investigate coastal law, fisheries, marine resources management, and wetlands ecology. The program accepts 6 students per year. Students should have prior experience studying marine sciences outside of school curriculum and should be able to demonstrate use of a research design such as the one required by the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) or the International Science and Engineering (ISEF) competitions. Visit the VIMS site for more information.
Visual and Performing Arts
Students in the VPA program study alongside Humanities Students at Radford University. Students may audition for the program to study in the art areas of instrumental music (55-60 students), vocal music (20-25 students), visual art (45-50 students), dance (20-25 students), or theater (45-50 students).
Students will have their opportunity to expand their artistic skills and technical knowledge of their art form. Students applying for VPA must audition at a local PWCS audition in order to be considered for the state audition in January. Visit the Radford VPA site.
The number of students accepted to each program are statewide. More information about the programs and the application process can be accessed through the links of the left of this page.